HEBREW WORD STUDY – GARDEN OF EDEN – EDEN GAN – עדנ גנ
Genesis 3:24: “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the East of the garden of Eden Cherubim’s and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
I read in Jewish literature another level of interpretation of the flaming sword. In Genesis 3:24 the Hebrew word for flame is lahat. This comes from the same dual root lahav which is the word used in the Aramaic as well as many other Semitic languages and can also means a flame. But that is not its primary use. When I traced this word to its Semitic origins I found it meant to be thirsty or to burn with such thirst that it caused hallucinations. In extra Biblical literature, you find it is used when a person is so thirsty in a desert that he actually sees an illusion of water. We call it a mirage. In fact, that is how the word is used in extra Biblical literature.
At the garden of Eden, a Cherubim is swinging a flaming (lahat) sword at the East of Eden. The word sword is a play on the word cherubim. In Hebrew, the word sword is cherav which could actually be a verb Cherubim and not a noun. As a verb, it means to strike or attack. This other level of interpretation seems to make more sense. An angel standing guard at the East of Eden swinging a flaming sword for 5,000 years is a little hard to swallow and besides, what’s to keep someone from sneaking in from the West? This other level of interpretation teaches that this Cherubim was really striking the Garden of Eden with an illusion. This fits right in with the latest Quantum Physics and Science Fiction fad of alternative universes. The Garden of Eden still exists to this day but the Cherubim is creating an illusion that it doesn’t or possibly God simply moved the Garden of Eden into an alternative universe, a spiritual realm where we will one day access when we pass by death from this reality to the next reality Eden, paradise.
Which by the way is what the word Eden means, a paradise or a place of pleasure. Actually, the word rejoice Ayin, Nun, and Gimmel is an acronym for a description of the Garden of Eden. The Ayin is the first letter in Eden (pleasure), the Nun is the first letter for nahar – a river and the Gimmel is the first letter for garden – Gimmel Nun. You see unlike the rich man in hell who could not ever get a taste of water, the redeemed of the Lord shall enter the Garden of Eden which has a river of water.
I love this about the Garden of Eden. It is so beautifully explained here. Thank you Chaim and Laura.
You’re welcome Patricia!
I truly respect the history/breakdown of the words – and I see what you’re saying about a better definition – but God is spirit. There is a demarcation of the physical (3.5 dimension) universe we live in and other ‘physical’ worlds you are referencing with your quantum theory remark. Quantum theory does take account for multiple universes – but those are still bound by the same physics properties that confine ours. [Quantum scientists would – at best – define God as a superior evolved being from another planet/universe – not omnipresent/omniscient)
To me the point of the Garden is that Adam and Eve were given free reign over everything EXCEPT a consciousness of what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ The tree of the KNOWLEDGE of good/evil. Once they had the ate that fruit – and SAW how sinful they were – no longer simply living by GRACE through faith – they were banished from that relationship with God HERE ON THIS PLANET. Unless you can find an ancient Jewish mystic I’m not aware of – there was never an insinuation they were banished from another ‘universe’ to ours.
I’m not nearly as well versed as you are, but to me – the whole purpose of Jesus was RESTORE the ‘garden consciousness’ Adam and Eve took for granted by knowing – we will NEVER be perfect or live perfectly, but can achieve our relationship (rightness) with God by His unmerited favor by faith.
Do you have a beginners class for Learning & Understanding Aramaic?
Hello Mary
Yes, Chaim has an Aramaic class for beginners at our All Access subscription membership site at: https://www.hebrewwordstudy.com Along with NT Aramaic, there is a Biblical Hebrew course as well as 3-4 live meetings weekly and much more. Hope to see you there. Blessings, Laura
I am a recent discover of your site and I appreciate your search for cultural and contextual meanings of words. I have long understood that literal translations can be very misleading.
There was a time in my life when I wondered if it was possible to locate the garden of Eden, but the rivers all flowing from one location didn’t make sense. When I began to understand the impact of the worldwide flood at the time of Noah, I began to see that the world was drastically reshaped, with seashells found on mountain tops. I agree, Eden cannot be located because it no longer exits on earth.
We can only speculate, but if Eden was only guarded from one direction, I would expect that it was the only possible entrance for men.
Thank you for your insights.